Susan (Michigan) here. DWF. Almost 54 years old. "Homesteading" in Northern Lower Pen of Michigan near Cadillac/Reed City. Interested in everything and curious. Lookin' good still with red hair. Cut it short tho so I could work hard outside without it gettin' in the way. Still afraid of the chain saw, so I con my busy brother into doing that for me! 5' 5" Weight 160. So that means I have some extra to burn when the goin' gets tough! Have 8 acres that I love (but am not firmly attached to yet) and will be moving to in the spring 2002. Will lose my internet contacts as I won't have electricity. Grew up knowing some of the real ways from my grandparents who built and lived in a one room log cabin and raised 5 kids there, but spent most time in the city. Educated too much for my own good. Love the earth and her animals. Have 2 dogs, 2 cats and a horse. No saddle tho, too poor LOL. Have a city car (Cavalier) and a broken 1983 Ford Bronco. Am in process of building my own tiny cottage of cob (earth, straw and water). Plan to live in travel trailer while building. Everyone in family thinks I'm nuts. So be it. Love tomatoes, movies, rum, spring, fall, winter, librarys, bugs, stones, archaeology, old stuff, wood stoves, backpacking, anthropology, "odd" people, children, wool, flowers, gardening, drawing, painting, needle crafts and other stuff. Scared?, me too.

-- Susan in Northern Michigan (cobwoman@yahoo.com), January 26, 2002

Answers

Response to Tree Hugger, Earth Lover, Old Lady

WAIT A MINUTE...take of the "old lady" in the intro. Ridiculous, what was I thinking?

-- Susan in Northern Michigan (cobwoman@yahoo.com), January 26, 2002.

Response to Tree Hugger, Earth Lover, Old Lady

You can keep internet connection for under $1200 initial investment. A laptop with cellphone (free nights and weekends) connection and a power converter in your car.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), January 26, 2002.

Response to Tree Hugger, Earth Lover, Old Lady

You might also check your library if you will be going to town one in awhile. gail

-- gail missouri ozarks (gef@getgoin.net), January 27, 2002.

Response to Tree Hugger, Earth Lover, Old Lady

Jay, did you get my email regarding editing the title of this post? And no, your suggestion is weirder than mine!! :)

-- Susan in Northern Michigan (cobwoman@yahoo.com), January 27, 2002.

Susan,

Your request is done. Hope this is acceptable.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), January 28, 2002.

Susan how big of a place are you building? Sounds very interesting. How much land are you going to have and are you going to "homestead" it like? I'm new to this forum and just looking around and thought that I would write and ask questions. Sound alot like me with too many hobbies and not enough time. something has to change for me...soon

-- Dave in Ohio (dr43147@yahoo.com), March 06, 2002.

Susan, how exciting! Sounds great! Have you considered checking into solar, wind, and water power for producing electricity for the new homestead? A small solar panel and battery for storage will run a pc. Or watermill, windmill and battery for storage. Many articles on it on the net. Also, for a cleaner environment, adobe or a concrete/newspaper mache' mix, don't recall the exact name for it, is more efficent. Jay is aware of this mache' mix. But i can locate the article if you're interested. i intend to build a castle one day, myself. Hey, i'm a dreamer but with this method i can see the possibility through cost and labor alone. Also, straw houses are becoming popular as well. Can locate the article there also if you're interested. Randi

-- Randi Scott (randoo21@hotmail.com), April 08, 2002.

Susan, sorry, didn't realize the "rules" yet. here's my address...

Randi Scott @ randoo21@hotmail.com

-- Randi Scott (randoo21@hotmail.com), April 08, 2002.

Hi! I found the answer, for me, to having internet off the grid was to get a web tv unit. I got mine used for $40! I can hook it up to an old black 'n white tv (in winter when there's no sun on the old solar panels), so the power draw is minimal. There is nothing to crash or get viruses, so there is never any repair cost to worry about. As long as you have a small battery bank and a generator you can do this too. If yu have solar panels to boot, you really have it made. Good luck.....I am homesteading in N. Idaho...alone...been at it for 8yrs now. Love it...even when times are tough. :) Barbie

-- Barbie from N. Idaho (think_peace51@hotmail.com), April 19, 2002.